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troy-somersetGAZETTE Our 34th Year Serving Troy’s Business Community Every Monday

Monday, July 28, 2014

Council Likes Idea of Troy Family Daze at Civic Center

Vol. 34, No. 47

Someone Taking the ACT Exam Soon? They may want to attend the Tuesday, July 28: ACT Practice Exam, at the Troy Public Library, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Preparing for the ACT can be stressful. To help make the process easier, TPL is holding a free ACT Practice Exam at the library courtesy of the Troy Sylvan Learning Center. Registration is required; go to TroyPL.org and hit the events and program button to sign up.

Ridgedale Fundraiser Presents Food and a Fun Mystery to Solve This event takes place Saturday, August 9 at 7 p.m. & Sunday, August 10 at 4 p.m. This second annual fundraiser will begin with a dinner featuring dishes from Florida’s, SOUTH BEACH GRILL & will continue with the performance of a mystery that the audience will help to solve! Tickets are $35 per person. Proceeds benefit the Ridgedale Players Improvement Fund. Call our ticket line at 248-988-7049 or visit www.ridgedaleplayers.com The theatre is located at 205 W. Long Lake Rd., just west of Livernois.

Help Grace Centers of Hope Raise Funds on the Links This Summer Put those clubs in safe storage; because soon enough it will be time to shine them up for Grace Centers of Hope’s 17th Annual ‘Golf Classic’! The next tournament will be on Monday, August 18, set on the beautiful rolling hills of The Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester. This is a great opportunity to entertain clients, or enjoy a summer day on the course with friends. For more information, please contact Megan Gillesby at 248-3342187 ext 1123 or email at [email protected].

Inside 7 Preschool Preview

14 Classifieds

15 Police Report

THIS BEAUTIFUL 1929 DUSENBERG is owned by Charles Letts of Bloomfield Hills, pictured above. He took the People’s Choice award at last year’s annual Troy Traffic Jam car show at Columbia Center.

Spend Next Sunday in the Troy Traffic Jam Traffic Jam expands field with everything from jaw dropping sports cars to historic vintage vehicles. This is the perfect way to spend a Sunday after noon in the summer. It’s 7th Annual Troy Classic Car Show – Troy Traffic Jam, on Sunday, August 3. With show stopping super sports cars including a 2011 Jaguar XKR Coupe, 2011 Jaguar XKRS Track. 2014 Oreca FLM09 Prototype Challenge, a 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Beverly,

the Detroit Grand Prix Show Car as well as unusual classics including a 1940 Willy’s Coupe and 1911 Thomas Flyer Touring 6-70 Flyabout, Troy Traffic Jam, the Annual Classic Car Show, returns for its 7th year. Check out the fabulous cars on Sunday, August 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia Center, 201 W. Big Beaver at Livernois in Troy. Troy Traffic Jam is known for the variety of its field. Show goers will

have the opportunity to check out classic automobiles, hot rods and muscle cars, sports cars and see the latest in the auto industry with unique race cars, as well as specialty vehicles. More than 200 cars will be on site and judged for best in class awards as See TRAFFIC JAM, page 4

by CYNTHIA KMETT Troy Family Daze may well call the Troy Civic Center home in 2015. Faced with the most recent location for Troy Family Daze at Zion Christian Church in jeopardy of being sold, the North Woodward Community Foundation scoured the community for a new venue. They tried many different locations, like churches and corporate settings to no avail. Once a city event as Troy Daze, the Foundation turned to the city’s park system. The festival had been at Boulan Park for three decades before the city gave up its sponsorship in 2009. Before Troy City Council at a study session last Monday were several questions, number one was should Troy allow the use of city property by a non-profit organization? That’s actually seemed a nobrainer. How many of us have raised money for the March of Dimes at the Civic Center over the years? Literally thousands. Troy parks have often been the site of walks for charity. While the Foundation had been looking at returning to Boulan Park, the city staff seemed to think the Civic Center site around the Aquatic Center, which is closed when Troy See COUNCIL, page 6

Help Tackle Childhood Hunger You can make a difference for a hungry child this summer! Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan invites you to participate in the 20th annual Hunger Free Summer Food Fight to Tackle Childhood Hunger from July 21 – August 3, 2014. The Food Fight is a contest to collect food and dollars to help feed hungry children. Area businesses, organizations and individuals are encouraged to donate to this fooddrive program that benefits Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. Gleaners distributes to more than 400 agencies to help area families in need.

“Last year the Food Fight raised more than 12,800 pounds of food and over $40,000 which translates to 44,070 days of food to our hungry neighbors in need,” Cindy Stewart Community Affairs Director said. “Let’s see if we can top that this summer. Four pounds of food = One Day of Food or $1 = 1 Day of Food.” Let’s help feed the hungry children in our community. Food collection bins are at Troy City Hall (500 W. Big Beaver at the east and west entrances), Troy Public Library (510 W. Big Beaver), Troy Community Center (3179 Livernois at the south See FOOD FIGHT, page 2

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July 28, 2014

Troy Family Daze Seeks New Location in Troy COUNCIL, From page 1

Family Daze is held in September, might be a better venue. Foundation Executive Director Tom Kaszubski said he hadn’t really considered it, but when staff pointed out the advantages, he said he liked the idea. When asked what the Foundation did with the money it raised at the festival, Kaszubski noted that they have given over $2 million in grants to this community, including veterans organizations, the Boys & Girls Club, the Troy Community Coalition and the Historic Village. He explained that Troy Family Daze is one of the funds in the Foundation. It has to follow rules of a 501c3 charity and the Foundation guarantees its expenses will be covered, even if it rains. So far they haven’t had to do that, but weather last year was a bit damp. When Councilman Wade Fleming inquired about parking, Kaszubski said that they have already approached Zion and Walsh about shuttle stops. Study sessions don’t take votes for the record; they set direction. But when queried everyone seemed to think it would be a good idea to let Troy Family Daze return to city property. “Troy Daze has been a community event for years,” observed Councilman Ed Pennington. “As a community festival it benefits the whole city.”

“I’m in favor; it’s a long-standing event,” said Councilman Dave Henderson. Councilman Jim Campbell added that the Civic Center is “a good location and it doesn’t destroy the park.” A second question was should they go out for RFPs (requests for bids) on putting on the festival or grant the Foundation a waiver. Waiver was what Kaszubski said he’d like. And Henderson noted that “I’m always in favor of a Troy business doing business in Troy.” City Attorney Lori Grigg Bluhm noted that their have to be reasons for the waiver. Ideas suggested included the festivals long-term experience, and the money coming back to Troy. Bluhm also noted there has to be a lease and contract, per the charter, to use the land. And, the waiver has to articulate what the city gets and is it a good lease rate. Other questions that have to be answered in a contract are things like hours of operation, security, points of access, liability and, oh yes, fireworks. Although, city staff said fireworks at the Civic Center were safer than at Boulan Park. Bluhm and the city staff will begin working on the details that could well bring this annual festival back to city grounds next year. This year Troy Family Daze will be held at Zion Christian Church again on September 11-14.

Eyeglass World to Open Troy Store Eyeglass World will expand its presence in the greater Detroit area on July 25 with its fifth new store since January 2014. The new store, located in the Midtown Square Shopping Center at 1337 Coolidge Highway, will bring up to 10 jobs to the area, adding to the more than 30 positions created in the greater Detroit area this year alone. As a grand opening gift, the first 100 shoppers will receive an eyeglass cleaning kit (ARV $4.99). Now through Saturday, August 23, shoppers can register-to-win a $150 Free Eyeglass Voucher. No purchase is necessary for the eyeglass cleaning kit or the $150 Free Eyeglass Voucher drawing.. “The people of Detroit have been an absolute joy to serve. As a result, the decision to increase our investment in the Detroit area and bring another optical retailer to the area was made easy,” said Reade Fahs, CEO of National Vision, Inc., the parent company of Eyeglass World. Eyeglass World will continue to make an investment in the Detroit market and plans to open up 17 stores by the end of 2015, resulting in locally filled jobs and new, convenient locations offering a one stop shop for fashion-forward eyeglasses at low price points.

At the new location, the company’s full-service philosophy will incorporate unparalleled selection with eyeglasses to suit personal style at affordable prices and expert customer service in an inviting atmosphere. Shoppers will find a wide selection of eyeglasses to choose from at an attractive price – starting at two complete pairs of glasses for $78. And those looking for designer brands can find a great selection at Eyeglass World, including Ray-Ban®, Coach®, Tory Burch®, DKNY® and more. The store is staffed with knowledgeable professionals that are happy to answer any questions and help with frame selection based on the individual’s facial features, personal style and functional needs. Optical technicians make the lenses and glasses in the onsite optical lab. Most glasses are available for pick up the same day they are ordered. National Vision, Inc., the parent company of Eyeglass World, acquired the 20-year-old freestanding chain in January 2009. There are now over 70 Eyeglass World locations in 23 states. For more information regarding National Vision Inc. or Eyeglass World, please visit www.NationalVision.com or www.eyeglassworld.com.

MEADOW BROOK THEATRE is presenting AlissaBeth Morton and the cast of The Wiz performing at a benefit at the theatre on July 31, August 1 and 2. For tickets, call 248-885-5129. – photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall

Nutty Performers “Ease on Down the Road” at Meadow Brook Theatre Girl has Kansas, girl loses Kansas, girl gets Kansas back. That’s the basic premise for Peanut Gallery Players’ upcoming production of “THE WIZ” July 31, August 1 & 2. If you’ve seen the movie of “The Wiz,” don’t assume you’ve seen the stage version. As performed by the students of PGP, a 501(c)(3) non-profit company. This “Wiz” is an upbeat, contemporary romp loosely based on “The Wizard of Oz”.

Over 71 actors, singers and dancers ages 6-18 from Oakland and Macomb Counties have been rehearsing since June for performances July 31, August 1 and 2, 2014 at Meadow Brook Theatre, on the campus of Oakland University. Leading the cast from and to Kansas is Stoney Creek HS Sophomore Ashlyn Moran as Dorothy. Helping her along the way and finding their brains, heart and courage respectively are Andrew Kubik as Scarecrow, Lee Cleaveland as Tinman

and Grant Cleaveland as Lion. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Students and Seniors. Groups of 12 or more should call for group discounts. Tickets are available by calling 248-8855129, on-line at www.peanutgalleryplayers.org or at the door on performance days 2 hours before curtain. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31 & Friday, August 1 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Aug. 2nd.